With an estimated 240 million players around the world, it’s no wonder that football is heralded as the world’s most popular sport. But have you ever wondered how these 240 million players get their shirt numbers?
In this article, we will explore the 11 football positions, answer the question ‘what do shirt numbers mean in football?’, and explain why football shirt numbers don’t always correlate to the number of football positions.
The history of shirt numbers
Can you even begin to fathom how you could tell players apart if they didn’t have numbers on the back of their shirts? Well, that’s how it was in the early 1900s. In fact, the first ever attempt to attribute a number to a player wasn’t made until 1928, and it was actually denied at first in favour of players donning different coloured socks and caps!
The first successful example of numbered shirts being worn to differentiate players from one another was five years later, during the 1933 Cup Final between Everton and Manchester City. The Toffees wore numbers 1-11, while City players displayed numbers 12-22 on the back of their shirts.
The traditional numbering system
In the late 1960s, the numbering system followed the traditional positions: commonly a 2,3,5 formation. Back then, football shirt numbers were specifically allocated based on the position you played in. If this means nothing to you and you’re wondering ‘what are the 11 positions in football?’, let’s break it down for you:
- Goalkeeper
- Right back
- Left back
- Centre back
- Centre back
- Centre midfield
- Right winger
- Centre midfield
- Striker
- Attacking midfield
- Left winger
This traditional system made it easy to identify which player played where based on their number alone. For example, the number 1 was always reserved for the goalkeeper, while number 9 was typically worn by the striker. The system stayed like this for decades, and many football legends became closely associated with their numbers, such as Pelé and number 10.
How are shirt numbers assigned today?
As football tactics changed, so did the use of shirt numbers. At the start of the 1993/94 English Premier League season, the introduction of squad numbers allowed players to be assigned a certain number for a whole season, regardless of the position they played. This allowed players to choose their own numbers, creating iconic associations between numbers and players, like David Beckham’s number 7 or Lionel Messi’s number 10.
Shirt numbers have become powerful cultural symbols tied to a player’s brand and identity. These iconic shirt numbers are globally recognised, allowing professional players to be the centre of huge marketing and sponsorship deals. From shirt sales to personalised merchandise, brands use these numbers in campaigns, product lines, and endorsements, turning them into essential assets for commercial success.
Grassroots shirt numbers
At grassroots level, shirt numbers tend to be assigned more traditionally, especially in smaller clubs or youth teams where there might be less focus on personal branding. For example, the goalkeeper still; usually wears number 1, and forwards are often assigned numbers 9 or 10.
However, many grassroots teams also adopt squad numbers, where players are assigned a number for the season or even choose their own number, especially when they are ordering custom kits. This flexibility allows grassroots players to feel a closer connection to their shirt, much like their professional idols, and it brings a personal touch to local football.
Player preferences
In the professional game, the numbering system isn’t quite as rigid. Huge teams with star players will often let them choose their number, which has led to the legacy of certain players and their shirt numbers that we mentioned above. These players have created a brand, and so even local grassroot teams are influenced by these sporting heroes, with players often requesting iconic numbers. Community teams can turn a basic kit into something special through customisation, meaning each player gets the shirt number they want!
Controversies and exceptions in shirt numbering
While shirt numbers might seem straightforward, they often come with their fair share of controversies. From retired numbers to ridiculous choices, it’s safe to say that the numbering system now is often anything but traditional, and the stories behind some shirt numbers add to the culture of football.
Retired numbers
In professional football, retiring a shirt number is one of the highest honours a club can give a player. When a number is retired, no other player will be able to play for the team wearing that number. It symbolises respect for that player’s contribution to the team or the sport. For example, Napoli retired Diego Maradona’s iconic number 10 shirt following his 7-year career with the club, ensuring his legacy remains unmatched. Similarly, AC Milan retired Paolo Maldini’s number 3 shirt, preserving it for his sons if they ever play for the team.
Unusual choices
Not every player sticks to traditional shirt numbers, instead opting for quirky choices that reflect personal significance or individuality. Perhaps one of the most obvious examples of this is Inter Milan’s Ivan Zamorano, who famously wore the numbers ‘1+8’ after a Nike sponsorship deal forced Ronaldo into Zamorano’s favoured number 9 shirt. Similarly, Mario Balotelli wore the number 45 on his shirt as a child because the two digits added together equals 9. He continued to wear this number into his professional career because he believed it brought him luck as a youth player. These unconventional choices often make players stand out and add an extra layer of intrigue for fans.
How Gift of Kit can help
If you want to redesign your kit to make sure that your players are assigned the numbers they want, we are here to help!
Here at Gift of Kit, we support grassroot sports clubs by connecting them with businesses that can invest in these smaller community teams and provide sponsored kits for free!
Through our sponsorship programme, we have delivered over £4 million worth of sponsored kit to clubs on behalf of huge brand partners such as Kia Motors, Sky Sports and Starling Bank!
If you are interested in learning more or want to discover how we can help your team with their kit and resource needs, please register your interest or contact us today!